Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

1967-2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

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My Currant Cars

A classic Pontiac makes an excellent addition to anyone’s classic car collection.

There are many ways you can find classic cars for sale either online or in print to help you get

the car of your dreams.

Site Update August 2010

I am adding a new page to my site,

"Where it really started for me, my dad and his first car, a 1949 Pontiac Chieftain"

Here is his car, back then, parked in front of his house.

Site Update~~

I am going to add a new page to my site, called

"Readers Rides"

If you want to see your Pontiac car on the web, send me some pictures, and I will add them here

News Update~~

If you are a regular to my site, or just visiting and read the story of my first new car, my 1979 Trans Am, listen to this. I received a package today, from Australia, with some pictures, and several post cards. Why is this important enough for my to include on this website? Well, the package was from a Mr. Paul Morey. The same Mr. Morey that I had sold my Trans Am to back in 1988. I didn't have his name, or address, but he found me on the internet, and heard of my sorrow in selling my car. He read that I missed the car, and often wondered what ever became of my TA Devil. Well, here is the story of "What ever happened to my first car".

2010 Update

Here is a new year, and my hope that my health will improve. As some of you know, when I first became sick in the 1980's, I sold all seven of the Firebird Trans Am Cars I had. I miss all those cars, and think of them almost every day. So this past year when I became sick again, I kept every car I had. I was not able to attend any car shows, or events of any kind. There were day, even weeks, when I was not able to even walk. Armed with new medicine, I am making my plans to attend all the car shows I can. My son will be helping me, and our cars will be ready as well.

If you emailed, and I didn't answer, please forgive me, as I was not able to check for them at times, and I was not able to read the thousands that built up over time.

This may be the first year without Pontiac for GM, but Pontiac and Firebird fans are not going any where.

Pictures of our eleven (11) cars in 2008!!!!

Click on the cars to see them all

Coming soon, updated pictures of our 15 cars.

I hope many of you will remember me, my name is Gilbert. For many years, I tore up the eBay web site with winning bids on all kinds of Firebird and Trans Am items. I not only had the largest Firebird toy collection around, but I also collected all Pontiac memorabilia. I spoke with many fellow bird watchers, and enjoyed the hobby. Well, bad health hit me several years ago, and I sold all of my real cars, and only kept the toys. I dropped off the map as they say.

Then came the year 2004. Better health, and new medication came along. Then something happened that would change my life. Better than any drug, or money, or dream. I was having dinner with my parents, on my dad's birthday. We were talking old times, me of my old cars, and life with my first Trans Am. My father then started talking about his first car. Guess what. It turned out to be a Pontiac. A 1949 Pontiac he had bought after he got back from Korea. Then he paused in his speech, and said something that stopped me dead in my tracts. He said, "you know, there isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about that car". The reason it hit me so hard, is that is what I felt every day also. As I looked at my dad, I knew what I had to do. I knew that I did not want to be sitting here twenty years from now, saying the same thing to my kids. It still ate at me that I had always been sorry that I had sold my 1979 Trans Am. That was my first new car, purchased in Westminster CA at Bob Longpre Pontiac in 1978. I bought it the first week the new 1979 Trans Am cars came out. It was nocturnal blue, with light blue trim, and was my pride and joy. I joined several clubs, and went to several car shows and events, including what they called a Trans A Rama back in those days. Over a hundred Trans Ams went to the event, and I had some great times. Those were the best times of my life. The plates on my Trans Am read "TA DEVIL". But when the real life issues happened, and I had to sell all my Trans Am cars.

The very next day, I started looking for my lost years and begin to look for a 1979 Trans Am. Not just any Trans Am, but one that would bring back the joy and pride I had in my first Trans Am. I found a few that were close, but they were not in the best of shape, and the price of these cars had started to rise. I searched for just under six months looking for the right Trans Am to replace the legend. All the cars I saw left me feeling like I would never find the perfect one. I could settle for some of them, but I knew I would not be happy in the long run. So I had to face the facts. If I was going to find the car to replace my original one, only the best was going to work for me. And I knew I was going to pay what ever it took to get that car when I found it. I found it on eBay, listed in Seattle WA. It was in mint shape, with only 46,000 miles. It had all the options, including the famous WS-6 package. The only non original item is the after market CD player, installed using the original radio face plate. Two additional speakers were added to the front, not causing any damage, and the rear speakers were also replaced with new speaker grills. All the new speaker grills were painted using the correct GM camel color, and look great. This was the one. It spoke to me, and I just knew this was the one from the pictures posted. I waited till the end of the auction, and bid ten thousand over the current bid. I was not going to lose out on this car. I won the bid, lucky for me not the full 10K over current I had bid, and got ready for Firebird Fever to set in. I bought a plane ticket, overcame my fear of flying for that day, and flew to Seattle. When I saw the car, life started over again. I drove it home, having the time of my life doing so. At every gas station, I had the attendant comment on the car. I had people come up to me to tell me stories of the car they had back in the 70's. I felt like Burt Reynolds. So radio blasting, and T-Tops off, I was south bound and down, coming home to Southern California.

Question or answers or comments, please email me by clicking the bird.

Here is the car that jump started my life again. Beautiful Nocturnal Blue, with tan trim and interior, I located this winner on eBay in October of 2004. In showroom condition, the miles are just over 45,000. I flew up to Seattle WA from Southern CA, and drove it home, with no issues. It has all the options, including the WS-6 performance package. It has all the power options, including the rare power antenna on the front fender. This was usually reserved for the 10th Anniversary cars only, and very few non Anniversary cars have them. The paint is all original, as is the hobnail interior. This is the first car I bought when I started getting back into buying and starting my mini collection. I am the second owner, and this car has never seen rain. I love it. Pontiac documentation was included.

We now attend car shows and enjoy weekend drives only. The paint is like glass, and the interior is still like new. The best showings so far have been the Pontiac Oakland Western Regional events in 2005 and 2008. We took first place both years in the stock 1970-1981 Trans Am class.

Shortly after getting my 1979 T/A, I went after one of the old birds, and found this 1969 Firebird 400. The 1969 has always been my favorite early bird, so this was the one I really wanted. I found it on a classic car sale site on the internet in December of 2004. All stock, with many options, including some rare ones, it sports 88K original miles. I am the third owner, and was delivered new here in Southern California back in 1969. Pontiac documentation was included.

Next it was my son's turn to get his first real car. He found this 2000 NHRA Trans Am on eBay, and it was on the way in late December of 2004. Arriving December 24, 2004 from Texas, it is in great shape. All options, including T-Tops on this rare bird. He is the second owner of this car, and has added many upgrades on this car. Pontiac documentation was included.

As my daughter graduated college in January of 2005, it became her turn at her dream car. Showing that I raised my kids right, she went after a newer Pontiac, an Impulse Blue 2004 GTO. Found on eBay in April 2005, and belonging to a young actor from Hollywood, it came with only 4,000 miles, and all the options. We are the second owners of this car, and all Pontiac documentation was included.

On May 5 of 2005, I saw this car on eBay. Just like my first car, Dark Blue with light Blue trim. It looked like a nice daily driver, and I needed one, so I bought it. It was trucked in the last week of May 2005, arriving June 3, 2005. This car has just over 100K, but has T-Tops and the famous WS6 handling package. Not a show car, but you cant beat driving to work in a classic 1979 Trans Am like this.

Sold

My daughter and son wanted a second car they could share, so they wouldn't have to drive their T/A or GTO to work or school. Again turning to eBay, we found this mint, stock 1988 Fiero GT, with 53K. My kids flew up to Colorado in July of 2005, and drove it back home, with no problems. Everything works, including the A/C that they used driving back home. It was over 100 degrees in Las Vegas on the drive home. This car turned out so nice, that they don't use it as a daily driver. Car shows and events only now. Best showing so far is second place finish in a local Pontiac show.

I am not sure why, but I was still looking at cars on eBay in May of 2005, when this car caught my eye. It's a 1985 Trans Am roadster, made by Auto Form Corp. back in the 80's when Pontiac stopped making the Firebird convertibles. Sporting the classic black with gold trim design, the rear seat area is now covered with bullet like head backs, like the batmobile. In great shape with only 74K, it now becomes the 10th Pontiac we own here in our house. It arrived safe and sound in July 2005 after the Fiero arrived. We are the second owners, and Pontiac documentation was included.

I bought this car in December 2005 on eBay to be a daily driver. I really wanted a Firebird 400, but could not afford it at the time. I tried to be happy with it, but it just wasn't the same. I kept it and drive it once in a while, but I will be selling it this year. I might get that Classic Firebird driver, or just use it be buy gas for the other cars. I need loan money just to fill the cars up now!!

This car has always interested me. Pontiac has always been so far ahead of the curve when it comes to options on it's cars. This 1989 Grand Prix Turbo L/E follows this proud tradition. Powered by a McLaren Turbo Charger, it does 0 to 60 in about 5 seconds with very minor modifications. This car has that, so it becomes a daily driver for us in May of 2006. Found of eBay, the car was shipped in June 2006. We are the third owners, and has just over 100K miles.

Sold to buy the 2002 GTP below

When Pontiac brought back the ram air hoods with the 4th generation birds, I fell in love with them. It looks evil and powerful just parked. Once again on eBay, I saw this car in September of 2006. A 1996 Firebird Formula LT1 WS-6, with 6 speed. It had 116K miles, but the owner had kept the car up nice, and it had just been serviced. Always looking for a bargain, my kids and I drove up to Oregon November 4, 2006 and made the 1000 mile drive back with no issues. My plan is to use this car for small weekend trips, to the likes of Monterey, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego, or any where we can drive with the T-Tops off, and radio blasting.

Sold to buy the 1999 Firehawk below

One of my original cars back in the late 70's and early 80's was a green 1969 Firebird 350 Convertible. I have some pictures of it here on my site, and was a very stock, very low optioned car. It had a manual top, base hub caps, and drum brakes. But I still liked that car, the way the engine smelled, the fresh air when driving, etc. So I found this car online in April of 2007, and called right away. Two days later I had paid for it, and 10 days later it was in my garage. This one is the top of the line, with the 400 Motor, Power disc brakes, power windows, power antenna, rally II rims, deluxe interior, working A/C and Power top. This will be a show car after we clean and polish, and replace a few trim items.

Still online, I found this site called Craig's List. A local want ad type service, I saw this 1998 Firebird Formula LS1 in May of 2007. After talking to my son, we agreed to go share the cost of this car. He had been driving my older Bonneville SSEI supercharged car, but his Trans Am has the LS1 engine, and he loves that engine. This car has 88K original miles, and always dealer serviced. The owner spent over 3K on the car just before he sold it, changing all belts and hoses, and servicing all items like new brakes, air conditioner, and required maintenance items. My son has been driving it to school and word since then. Keep posted, cause even if my son says he is not going to change anything, I say that all the time, and I always do~!

Still on Craig's List in April of 2008, this nice Firehawk called out to me. This car has 60K original one owner miles, and always dealer serviced. The owner had this car as a company car!!. Man, am I working for the wrong company. I will keep this car original, but have some plans to upgrade a few items. I sold the 1996 Formula to get this car. Keep checking back, this car is going to be super nice in a few months when we are done with it.

Having just sold our 1996 Trans Sport Van with 117K miles, I ran across this one on Craig's list. I wasn't looking for a new van, but the miles, only 46K is what caught my attention. While only one year newer than the one I had just sold, 1997 was the year Pontiac redesigned this van. In only a few months with us, we have taken my daughter up north to college with her furniture, picked up three sets of chrome rims, two sets of tires, and one rear hatch for a Trans Am. And I see many more adventures in the near future for our new van.

Still online, still on Craig's List, this Grand Prix joined us in July of 2008. This car has 56K original one owner miles, and always garaged. It comes with a long list of options, including moon roof, leather interior, chrome rims, and heads up display. It drives like a new car, and even smells new inside. The engine is the stock 3800. We sold our 1992 Bonneville SSEI and upgraded to this ride. I really enjoy the ride, and quality of the car. This becomes my daily driver for now.

Craig's List is going to break me. As I was enjoying my new 2002 Grand Prix GT, I ran across an ad for this 2002 Grand Prix GTP supercharged coupe the following month in August of 2008. Sure, it was nice, and a great price, but I figured it had high mileage or issues. Guess what?? It was a one owner, elderly couple, car with only 15K miles. That's right, they put just over 2K a year on it. I spent two days talking with Dan at Costa Mesa Pontiac and GMC before I decided I wanted it. I listed and sold my 2001 Bonneville SLE in one day, and one day later I was taking this car home to join his GT brother. I am so impressed with how these two Grand Prix cars drive.

Original owner, Southern California car, this documented Special Edition Smokey and The Bandit Trans Am is going to be a father and son project over the next few years. As time, work, school, and money permits, we are going to bring this car back to show room condition. Right now it just sits, and get driven a few miles every week. It's time will come soon.

1982 MSE Trans Am

February of 2010, my son was looking at Craig's list in Los Angeles when he came across this car. The ad said it was a 1982 MSE Trans Am. My son remembered my old MSE, and sent me the ad. I called the owner, and he gave me the following information on the car. It had 124K miles, but the engine and transmission had less than 15K miles on them since being rebuilt. The owner had owned the car for over ten years, and had also upgraded the suspension. We drive down that night, and one week later my son had bought himself a new car. I will help him a little, but this will be something he can fix up, and drive any time he wants.

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

The time has come for my youngest daughter to start driving. Always checking Craig's List, I saw this car in April of 2010. My son and I went to check this car out, and we liked what we saw. It came from CA with about 122K miles, and has every option, including leather interior, heads up display and a sunroof. Then Engine is the 3.4L, and is fast enough for her while she learns to drive. It also get great gas mileage, and has that great Pontiac Shark look.

1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am

The 1989 Turbo Trans Am has always been on my wanted since the day it came out. I remember seeing it at the dealership and reading all the magazines when this car came out. They all said the same thing. This was the fastest production Trans Am ever built. It was also the fastest car of the year. But by 1989, I was already ill, and had sold all my cars.

So fast forward to July 2010, when my son is checking out Craig's list looking for car parts. He came across this Turbo Trans Am, with 66K miles, and all original. The price peaked my interest, so a few days later we were driving to look at the car. The car comes from the factory with only two options. Leather interior, and the famous T-Top option. This car has both, which is my preference. The car is far from perfect, but my son and I will be fixing up the car over the next few months. The upside on this rare car, with low miles, was too great to pass up.

And the really bad news, I still look for cars on eBay every day. What will be next?

Maybe one of these, I like these cars!!!

1977 L/E Can Am with Shaker Scoop

400 Pontiac Motor

1989 Trans Am

Turbo Charged Pace Car

Feel free to ask us any questions about any of our cars!

Upcoming 2010 car shows or cruises we may be at!!

Channel Islands Chapter Pontiac Oakland Club

Chiefs Along The Channel

Sunday August August 29, 2010

Ventura, CA

Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac Show

Sunday October 10th, 2010

Costa Mesa, CA

You never know who you might see~~

Past car shows we have attended

Click on the picture below

Click below for pictures of my past Trans Am and Firebird cars.

TA DEVIL (1979 Trans Am)

MSE TA (1982 MSE Trans Am)

1969 Firebird Convertible

Trans Am Club and Trans A Rama

I have also been collecting Firebird and Trans Am toys since 1979. I was credited by several toys publications several years ago with having the largest Firebird Trans Am toy collection in the world. So I am adding pictures of my toys, so you can see what is out there. Please feel to ask question, or make any comments. Please enjoy the pictures, and check back, I will be adding sections weekly.

Visit my toy website below

The most complete toy history of the firebird Trans Am in the world~~~~